(U2) The Revolutions Of February And October 1917

Question 1

Explain the effect WWI had on the Russian economy with regards to:

Food supplies (4)

Answer 1

• requisitioning reduced agricultural output —> horses and fertilizers taken for war
• sales of food became unprofitable (due to inflation), farmers stopped selling grain
• hunger began to border famine
• St Petersburg (then Petrograd) by 1917 had to ration bread and received less than 1/4 of the bread in 1914

Question 2

Explain the effect WWI had on the Russian economy with regards to:

Inflation (2)

Answer 2

• spending rose from 4m to 30m roubles
• to fund this, the gold standard was abandoned and more notes were printed —> causing inflation to rise

Question 3

Explain the effect WWI had on the Russian economy with regards to:

Transport (4)

Answer 3

Transport:

• the rail system was mechanically inefficient and was not fit for war
• by 1916 it verged on collapse
• food transport cut: 1914 - Moscow received 2,200 wagons of food per month
• by 1917 this fell to only 700 per month

Question 4

What key issue hampered the Russian army on the frontlines in WWI?

Answer 4

Equipment shortages:

• Despite being the largest military in Europe, equipment didn’t reach the frontlines
• Russian expenditure was high, however poor planning around transport prevented equipment reaching troops

Question 5

What move by Tsar Nicholas II in WWI grew criticism against him?

When and why did this cause criticism?

Answer 5

• August 1915: Tsar becomes commander in chief of the army
• he was now accountable for any military failures

Question 6

How did low morale in the military become evident?

What does this suggest? (Russia WWI)

Answer 6

• Numbers of deserters grew: 195,130 deserters in March 1917 to 365,137 in August 1917
• the army knew they could not win the war

Question 7

Who led Russia prior to the February 1917 revolution?

Answer 7

Tsar Nicholas II

Question 8

Upon the Tsar changing his role, who did he leave in charge of governmen?

Answer 8

The Tsarina and Rasputin

Question 9

What is a soviet?

Answer 9

A soldier’s or worker’s council

Question 10

Upon the Duma being recalled in July 1915, what key mistake did the Tsar make?

What did this cause?

Answer 10

• He didn’t co-operate with the zemstva and the union of municipal councils
• this furthered political opposition to the Tsar

Question 11

Which political coalition formed in opposition to the Tsar in August 1915?

Who was part of it? (4)

Answer 11

1. the Progressive Bloc
2. • the Kadets
   • the Octobrists
   • Nationalists and
   • progressive industrialists

Question 12

Why did the Progressive Bloc become direct opponents of the Tsar?

Answer 12

The Tsar failed to grant reforms they pledged

Question 13

Between 1915 and 1916, how many PMs did Russia have?

What does this highlight?

Answer 13

• 4
• political chaos